Russia says it shot down 100 Ukrainian drones in 12 hours

MOSCOW, Russia — Russia's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that air defense units intercepted 100 Ukrainian drones between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on July 2, with engagements reported across multiple Russian regions and over the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. According to the ministry, duty air defense systems detected and destroyed the drones over the regions of Moscow, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Tver, Tula, Smolensk and Nizhny Novgorod, as well as Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Crimea. The statement comes amid an intensification of Ukrainian aerial strikes in recent weeks, including repeated drone attacks on the capital and Russian border areas. Russian officials have said in recent months that they are reinforcing air defense capacity to counter the growing use of drones by Ukraine. The ministry also reported engagements over the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, indicating that Ukraine continues to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles from maritime areas as well as from land-based launch points. No further details on casualties or damage were immediately provided.